Boris Johnson: NI first minister doubts public accept PM's party claim

Paul Givan said an inquiry into the Downing Street drinks party must be completed quickly

Northern Ireland's first minister has said he doubts the public accepts Boris Johnson's claim that a drinks party in Downing Street was a work event.

Paul Givan said an inquiry into alleged rule breaking must be completed quickly.

Mr Johnson admitted he attended the garden event during the first Covid-19 lockdown.

He offered a "heartfelt apology" in Parliament but said he believed it was a work event.

Civil servant Sue Gray, who previously worked at Stormont, is carrying out the inquiry into several gatherings during the pandemic.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Mr Givan said: "This report will be very important, it's imperative it comes to a conclusion as soon as possible so that we can all draw a line under this and ensure the public health messaging is consistent rather than distracted by what's going on in Downing Street."

He added that it was right the prime minister had apologised but said he would be "tested" by both the public and his own party.

He said: "Either he takes a decision himself or it will be for the Conservative Party to decide his future."

Earlier, DUP MP Gregory Campbell said he did not think "what we've heard and what has been reported can constitute a work event".

Mr Johnson is now facing calls from several parties and from several senior members within the Conservative Party to stand down as prime minister.

During the questions session in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Mr Johnson asked MPs who called on him to resign to await the results of the inquiry.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson faced anger in the House of Commons on Wednesday

The latest pressure on the prime minister over alleged parties at Downing Street began on Monday, when ITV published a leaked email from Mr Johnson's principal private secretary, Martin Reynolds.

In it, Mr Reynolds invited staff to "socially-distanced drinks in the No 10 garden" on 20 May 2020 - when lockdown rules in England banned large outdoor gatherings.

The invitation encouraged people to "bring your own booze" and "make the most of the lovely weather".

Brandon Lewis says the prime minister did the right thing by apologising

Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme on Thursday that Mr Johnson had done the right thing by apologising.

He said the prime minister recognised the "anger, upset and frustration" about what people perceived to be happening at No 10. He added the PM still has his full support.

On Tuesday, North Down MP Stephen Farry described Mr Johnson's apology as "too little, too late" and called for his resignation.

Mr Johnson was also urged to resign by SDLP leader Colum Eastwood, who said the prime minister's statement in the Commons was "pathetic".

Speaking before Mr Johnson apologised on Wednesday, UUP leader Doug Beattie also called for his resignation and said "whether the prime minister comes clean or doesn't, his credibility is destroyed".

In December, the prime minister asked for an independent inquiry to investigate a series of allegations about events taking place in government buildings in 2020 despite Covid-19 restrictions being in force.